In the Shadows of the Sun We Sleep

Product Notes

Led by singer/guitarist Jacob Pienaar, Digamy is the latest underground bonus baby to test mainstream tolerance for alternative music. Digamy, developed directly out of the grandiose rock of Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden and the exploding riffs of the Pixies combined with borrowed D.I.Y. aesthetics of punk. Furthermore, the band limits them to simple, pounding riffs, often making detours into psychedelia. Given the small corner of public taste that guitar rock now commands, the trio's version of the truth is probably as credible as anyone's. A dynamic mix of sizzling power chords, manic energy and sonic restraint, Digamy erects sturdy melodic structures - sing-along hard rock as defined by mainstream groups - but then attacks them with frenzied screaming and guitar havoc. When Pinard revs into high gear, shifting his guitar riffs and vocals from quiet caress to raw-throated fury, the decisive control of bassist Chris Yeoman and drummer Hugh Norval is all that keeps the songs from chaos. Most of the songs - like 'Erase', 'Welcome to Space' and 'A thousand nails' - exemplify the band's skill at inscribing subtlety into dense, noisy rock. At the album's stylistic extremes, 'Why were you faking your love?' (Known by the band as the two chord song) floats a translucent cloud of guitar and melodic vocals, while 'I don't need you anyway' race flat-out to the end. Over the last few years, Digamy gradually built up a devoted cult following the old-fashioned way, through word-of-mouth street talk.

Led by singer/guitarist Jacob Pienaar, Digamy is the latest underground bonus baby to test mainstream tolerance for alternative music. Digamy, developed directly out of the grandiose rock of Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden and the exploding riffs of the Pixies combined with borrowed D.I.Y. aesthetics of punk. Furthermore, the band limits them to simple, pounding riffs, often making detours into psychedelia. Given the small corner of public taste that guitar rock now commands, the trio's version of the truth is probably as credible as anyone's. A dynamic mix of sizzling power chords, manic energy and sonic restraint, Digamy erects sturdy melodic structures - sing-along hard rock as defined by mainstream groups - but then attacks them with frenzied screaming and guitar havoc. When Pinard revs into high gear, shifting his guitar riffs and vocals from quiet caress to raw-throated fury, the decisive control of bassist Chris Yeoman and drummer Hugh Norval is all that keeps the songs from chaos. Most of the songs - like 'Erase', 'Welcome to Space' and 'A thousand nails' - exemplify the band's skill at inscribing subtlety into dense, noisy rock. At the album's stylistic extremes, 'Why were you faking your love?' (Known by the band as the two chord song) floats a translucent cloud of guitar and melodic vocals, while 'I don't need you anyway' race flat-out to the end. Over the last few years, Digamy gradually built up a devoted cult following the old-fashioned way, through word-of-mouth street talk.